top official in the Church of Scientology can be named a defendant in a
lawsuit stemming from the 1995 death of a church member, a Florida
judge has ruled.

Lisa McPherson was a Scientology church member who died while in the
care of other church members after suffering a mental breakdown and
physical problems in Clearwater, Fla.

In their lawsuit, McPherson's family alleges that David Miscavige, a
top Scientology official, is in complete control of Scientology and
oversaw McPherson's medical care.

According to a medical examiner's report, she died of a blood clot
caused by prolonged bed rest and dehydration. Miscavige is chairman of
the board of the Religious Technology Center that, according to church
documents, is mainly responsible for safeguarding Scientology
copyrights and trademarks.

The church has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in McPherson's death.
According to published reports, after suffering a breakdown, McPherson
was kept for 17 days at a Scientology-owned hotel in Clearwater where
she was kept in isolation and given herbal remedies, vitamins, and
sedatives.

Despite losing nearly 50 pounds, McPherson was never examined by a
licensed medical doctor. By the time she was taken to a hospital she
was pronounced dead on arrival.

In 1998, Miscavige told The St. Petersburg Times he was not responsible
for overseeing McPherson's medical treatment. The family's suit,
however, alleges he was aware of McPherson's serious health problems
and instructed her caretakers on what do for her.

A trial in the case had been set for next June but the ruling by
Hillsborough County Circuit Court Judge James S. Moody involving
Miscavage likely means a long delay in the case because Scientology
attorneys say Miscavage will have to hire his own lawyers.